In a landmark decision, a federal jury has awarded Tanja Benton nearly $700,000 after she was terminated from her job at BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee (BCBST) for refusing to comply with the company’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate. The jury concluded that Benton’s refusal was grounded in her sincerely held religious beliefs.
Tanja Benton was employed by BCBST from 2005 until November 2022, serving primarily as a biostatistical research scientist. Her role, as outlined in her federal lawsuit, did not require regular in-person contact with clients or patients. In fact, Benton managed a portfolio of 10 to 12 clients annually, interacting with them infrequently and often not in person. With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Benton transitioned to working from home for approximately 18 months without any reported issues.
In response to the ongoing pandemic, BCBST implemented a company-wide COVID-19 vaccine mandate. Benton refused to comply, citing her belief that the vaccines were derived from aborted fetus cell lines, a claim that has been debunked. In her lawsuit, Benton expressed her conviction that receiving the vaccine would defile her body and dishonor God.
Benton requested a religious exemption from the vaccine mandate, which BCBST denied. The company insisted that no exceptions could be made for individuals with Benton’s job title and suggested she apply for a different position within the organization. Despite her appeals and arguments that her job did not involve direct interaction with people, BCBST ultimately terminated her employment.
Following her termination, Benton filed a federal lawsuit against BCBST. The jury found that Benton “proved by a preponderance of the evidence” that her refusal to get vaccinated was based on her sincerely held religious belief. The verdict awarded Benton $177,240 in back pay, $10,000 in compensatory damages, and $500,000 in punitive damages, totaling $687,240.
BCBST defended its vaccine mandate, stating, “The vaccine requirement was the best decision for the health and safety of our employees and members – some of whom are the most vulnerable in the state – and our communities. We appreciate our former employees’ service to our members and communities throughout their time with BlueCross.”
The jury’s decision in favor of Benton underscores the complex interplay between public health measures and individual religious beliefs. As companies navigate the evolving landscape of workplace safety and employee rights, this case serves as a significant precedent for handling vaccine mandates and religious exemptions.
Read the full settlement document below:
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